Who was William Branham:

William Branham was born in 6th April 1909 in Kentucky and died on 24 December 1965.  His ministry was founded in May 1946.  But this legacy lives on in his followers and the hundreds of sermons that were recorded or transcribed.  Most people read his sermons more than they do they bible.  Most people believe William Branham's words more than the bible.  This is obviously concerning, but what is more concerning is what William Branham preached and the strange signs and wonders that accompanied him.

The young William Branham:

William Branham's mother was 15 years of age, and his father was 18 years of age.  When William Branham was born something rather unusual happened on that day - a few rays of light shone into the room and a huge halo, one foot in diameter appeared above William's mother and baby.  Because of this his mother took him to a Baptist church in the local community.  That was the first and the last time he went to church in years.    --Carl Dyck, William Branham: The Man and His Message (Saskatoon: Western Tract Mission, 1984), page 3.   

It should be noted (and keep this in your mind at all times) that Branham'sparents both believed in fortunetelling (so they were not Christian) and this of course means that William Branham was raised in an occult environment.     --Kurt Koch, Between Christ and Satan(Grand Rapids: Kregal Publications, 1962), page 150

Branham's life was influenced by numerous visions and angelic visitations.  He recalled that he heard a voice at the age of seven,  "Well, I started up the lane again. And I turned to look at this again. And when it did, a human Voice just as audible as mine is, said, `Don't you never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way. There'llbeaworkfor you to do when you get older.' Why, it liked to scared me to death!"     --Brother Branham, taped sermon transcript, p. 24

This would not be the last time Branham heard this voice, later this voice would identify itself as an angel and later he ends up receiving  extra-biblical revelation concerning future events.

William's family and Ministry:

William Branham was influenced by a few obscure people/religions before he fully established his ministry in 1948, one of these was the 'Jesus Only' Pentecostals.     --Brother Branham, p.39

At this time William Branham was married and had a baby daughter.  Many family members and other ministers warned him not to associate with the 'Jesus Only' cult for this group did not believe in the Trinity amongst other thing.  Branham must have broken away from then for later when his Wife and baby daughter died in 1937 from Tubercular Meningitis he attributed their deaths to the fact that it was because he had not continued in fellowship with the Pentecostals and had missed God's will.     --Brother Branham, p.47

Never the less, the 'Jesus Only' cult was a great influence on Branham as he adopted many of their heretical doctrines into his own. 

Another influential person in Branhams 'doctrine to be' was Franklin Hall who wrote on the 'Atomic Power with God through Fasting and Prayer'.  Hall had a great influence on almost all the healing revival preachers of that time, of which Branham was his best disciple, in so much that Branham’s followers believed him to be the apostle of the final Church age.

In 1946 while Branham was baptising followers in the Ohio river he heard a small voice say 'Look up!"  Looking up he saw it descending toward him - it looked like a blazing Star, a Pillar of Fire.  The Supernatural Pillar of Fire hovered just above his head and that voice he had been hearing since he was little spoke out of the Pillar of Fire saying, "As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the First Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, so you are sent to forerun His Second Coming."     --Brother Branham, p.71

That was that, Branham called this his 'charge' - that he was called by God and soon many believed him to be Elijah.  In fact when Branham passed away in 1965 due to a head injury from a car accident many of his followers (and still today, believe it or not) truly believe he came in the spirit of Elijah, some believed him to be born of a virgin, some believed him to be God and some expected him to actually rise from the dead in three days.     --All Things Are Possible, p.164

Not long after Branham was told by the Pillar of Fire that he was the forerunner for the Second Coming of Christ he was visited by the voice manifested in the form of an angel.  This angel told him that he had been given two gifts; the gift of healing and the gift of words of knowledge / restore biblical truth.   As time went by Branham also came to believe that this angel was the source of all his visions and extra-biblical revelations as well.   But of course Branham was very discerning (as he claims it was also one of his gifts) and he asked the angel why he should believe the angel to be from God and the angel told him that the people in Jesus' day called Jesus a devil, so he (Branham) should not worry about others in his family or ministry saying the same thing about the message/angel.  The angel mentioned that Branham had been told by fortunetellers in impromptu meetings that he had a special gift from God and was born under a sign.  The angel assured Branham that demons had confirmed that Jesus was the Christ and he should not be concerned by testimony of fortunetellers.      --Brother Branham, pp. 74, 75, 79

Well I suppose that settles it then - the angel must be from God, phewww and all this time I thought otherwise.  You see in 1 John it explains very clearly what Branham was supposed to ask the angel, '"has Jesus Christ come in the Flesh".  I guarantee this angel would have come up with every excuse in the book to say otherwise.  But then, what's the bible anyway? eh?  Just useless info...not to be adhered to.

So Branham decided to test out his new 'powers' and found himself confronted with a women who had cancer.  Just as a matter of interest the angel told Branham about this woman in a vision.  So he prayed for her and she was 'healed'.  He shot to Super Stardom over night and from then on claimed his angel was with him day and night. 

Two things here;  Who said she had cancer?  Was there any medical proof of this and secondly who could prove she was healed?  Or did Branham proclaim she was healed and everyone just accepted it?  So either this was one big lie or worse we have a demon (posing as an angel of light) telling Branham about a women who has cancer, i.e., this woman's cancer was demonically inflicted.  Talk about being set up, William Branham that is, and again so much for his discernment.  So Branham prays for her and she is 'healed'.  What actually happened was the demonic affliction was lifted and who knows what else this woman received in its place.  I shudder to think.

From then on William Branham's ministry was built on supernatural manifestations and was empowered by a spirit being / angel.  The angel accompanied him throughout his lifetime and even directed him in every aspect of his personal life.   It was the angel Branham said gave him his power - not the Holy Spirit.  In fact Branham knew that if he didn't do what the Voice told him to do he would suffer greatly. 

But if that has not convinced you even slightly that there was something horribly wrong with Brenham, lets go look at his teachings and see just how much they contradict the Word of God.

He believed he was the Last Days Prophet:

This I find rather funny because since starting my blog I have come across at least 20 others who think they are too.  Who's right?  Fortunately, non of them, Branham included.  Anyhow let's stick to the story shall we, so Branham said, "Now, I'm just your brother, by the grace of God. But when the Angel of the Lord moves down, it becomes then a Voice of God to you...But I am God's Voice to you... Now, see, I can say nothing in myself. But what He shows me."     --Footprints On The Sands Of Time, p. 214

His followers believed him to be the spirit of Elijah based on Malachi 4 and the seventh angel in Revelations 10.

Unfortunately for him and his followers, William Branham has to under no uncertain terms be labelled a False Prophet for a lot of things he prophesied did not come to pass for example:  He prophesied that Jesus would return in 1977 along with the destruction of America .  Branham said, "Jesus did not say no man could know the year, month or week in which his coming would be completed. I sincerely believe and maintain as a private student of the Word along with divine inspiration  that 1977 ought to terminate the world systems and usher in the millennium."   --7 Church Ages, p. 322.

As we can see, Jesus Christ has not come back,  America is still standing and doing quite well and it's the year 2008.  So you the reader have 2 choices here;  1) William Branham received this information from a lying demonic source aka his angel who's father is Satan or,  2)  God lied.  

The bible says, in Deuteronomy 18 v 20-22

20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.    21  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?    22  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Branham preached the 'Serpent Seed' teaching:

The Serpent Seed teaching is a belief that Cain was produced through sexual intercourse between Eve and the serpent in the garden.  The curse of the Serpent's Seed he believed is the cause of all mankind's problems and women are to blame and it is evident in their temptation of men.     --William M. Branham, My Life Story, p. 19.   

Branham also believe that the Serpent Seed was the missing link between man and monkey. 

Hitler also believed in the Serpent Seed teaching and this was the main reason why Jews needed to be eliminated, for the Jewish nation was of Satan.  Now if Hitler believed in this and Branham believed in this, and Hitler was of Satan and Branham is of God then....we have a HUGE problem here.

It is also noted that Branham despised women and on one occasion stated, "But I remember when my father's still up there running, I had to be out there with water and stuff, see young ladies that wasn't over seventeen, eighteen years, up there with a man my age now, drunk. And they'd have to sober them up and give them black coffee, to get them home to cook their husband's supper. Oh, something like that, I said, 'I...This was my remarked [sic] then, THEY'RE NOT WORTH A GOOD CLEAN BULLET TO KILL THEM WITH IT.' That's right. And I hated women. That's right. And I just have to watch every move now, to keep from still thinking the same thing."      --M. Branham, 'My Life Story' (Spoken Word Publications, undated), p.27.

So now we can see why he was so adamant to preach this Serpent Seed teaching for he had an immense animosity towards women.  This would also explain why he preached a rigid 'moral code' for women with regards to dressing, hair etc, etc.  Branham also had a 'revelation' that allowed for divorce.      --All Things Are Possible, p.162.

The bible says in Genesis 4 v 11;

1 "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD."  .... not from the Serpent/Satan.

Branham believed the Zodiac and the Egyptian Pyramids are EQUAL to scripture:

So as far as Branham is concerned the Zodiac and Egyptian pyramids are equal to Scripture in the revelation of God's Word.  This might I add is also one of Franklin Halls strange beliefs that was passed onto Branham.    --'Adoption', pp.31,104.   

After Branham's death a tombstone in the shape of a pyramid was placed on his grave.

Now we know that the Zodiac and the Pyramids play a huge part in the occult.  So how on earth can the occult be equal to Scripture?  Witchcraft, Astrology and New Age all use the pyramids and the zodiac for divination i.e., predicting the future. The pyramids are an essential holiday spot for occultists, witches, magicians, necromancers and many a demon/spirit. The narrow passages through-out the pyramids allowed for occult soul travel were mummified Kings and other notable people were buried with gold, food and other worldly possessions in the belief that their soul would need these things in the after-life. Pyramids also have an occult alignment with the stars i.e., the Zodiac.

Let's see what the bible says about this:   Deuteronomy 18 v 9-12

9  When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.   10  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.   11  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.   12  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Branhman believed that ALL denominations were the Mark of the Beast:

Except for his 'demonination' of course which was pure.  Hence if you follow anyone eles teachings and not his you are doomed.  Branham believed that some humans are descended from the serpent’s seed and are destined for hell, which is not eternal, however. The seed of God, i.e., those who receive Branham’s teaching, are predestined to become the Bride of Christ. There are still others who possess free will and who may be saved out of the denominational churches, but they must suffer through the Great Tribulation. He considered denominationalism a mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:17).     --Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, pp. 95,96.

Branham believed he was commissioned by God to OPEN the SEVEN SEALS in Revelations:

Branham said, "I saw seven angels in the form of a pyramid that swept down, picked me up and was brought east to open the seven seals of God”      --William Branham, Standing In the Gap - 63-0623.1M.

Revelations 5 v 1-10 says; "1  Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.   2  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"   3  But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.   4  I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.   5  Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

So, is William Branham saying he is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David - Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the One and Only Living God?  It must be, because William Branham said it, and if William Branham said that God commissioned him to opn the book and loose the seals then who are we to argue, I mean really, the bible must be wrong, completely wrong!

Branham believes he was the ONLY Prophet

Branham said, "There never was in the age, any two major prophets on the earth at one time. There were many minor prophets, but there were one major prophet. And Elijah was the prophet until Elisha came. Then when Elijah was taking off, a portion, double portion, of Elijah's Spirit, Elijah's Spirit came upon Elisha."     --Our Hope is in God, 1951 (tape #51-0929)

Now, God always uses a--a prophet, a man. If you use a bunch of men, you get different ideas (See?); each man, two men. Never did He have two major prophets on the earth at one time. He takes one, so the other one can take its place for another day, another message. He never has two; He has one at a time.”     --The Evening Messenger, 1963 (tape #63-0116)

"God always deals with one individual. Two men's got two ideas. There never was two major prophets on the earth prophesying the same time. Look back and see if there was. No, sir. Too much scrupled up. He's got to get one man completely surrendered and use that person. He searches for that person, but there will be one sometime, somebody who'll listen to Him word by word."      --The Fourth Seal, Revelation of the Seven Seals, 1963 (tape #63-0321)

Many historical prophets did indeed prophesy at the same time as others. Several minor prophets did as well (e.g., Hosea & Micah; Haggai & Zechariah. Ezra 5:1,2 actually says, "Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadakset to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were withthem, helping them." See also, Numbers 11:25-29). In fact, some Minor prophets prophesied at the same time as Major prophets (e.g., Hosea & Micah were contemporary with Isaiah; Habakkuk was contemporary with Jeremiah). But Mr. Branham's most obvious error was in saying that God never sent two Major prophets at the same time. Of the four Major prophets, Daniel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel were all contemporaries during the years 595-587 BC.      --http://people.delphiforums.com/johnk63/1prophet.htm

The difference between Branham and the TRUE prophets of the bible were that the TRUE prophets of the bible were not confused, never presented two different ideas, never got their message 'scrupled up' and most importantly their words were God's word hence they appear in the Word of God.  Unlike Branham who preaches a DIFFERENT gospel.

Branham taught that God is NOT omnipresent

Branham said, "Now, you cannot be omnipresent without being omniscient. God's not even omnipresent; God's omniscient. Omniscient which means - makes Him omnipresent (He knows all things). But in order to be a being He has to be in one being."     --The Masterpiece, 1964 (tape #64-0705)

"He's [God]--He's infinite, and He's--He's omnipresent, omniscient, therefore He knows all things. He can't be present everywhere. By being omniscient, knowing all things, then He can be present everywhere."     --The Harvest Time, 1964 (tape #64-1212)

So because Branham believes that God is a 'being' and not 'Spirit' he can't be in more than one place at a time.  He does however believe that God knows 'all things' hence He is omniscient so it seems like God is everywhere, but He is not.

The bible says:  Jeremiah 23:23-24 "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord."

Branham DENIED the Deity of Jesus Christ

Branham said;   "The man, the body was not Deity, but Deity was in the body."    --God’s Gifts Always Find Their Places, December 22, 1963 (tape #63-1222)

"Jesus was not God, but He was God. He was a Man, yet He was God. He could cry, and yet He could raise the dead. He could cry for a man being dead and raise him back up again. He was Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-rapha, Jehovah Manasses; He was Jehovah, all completely. He was Jehovah, and yet He was a Man."     --Questions and Answers #3, August 30, 1964 (tape #64-0830M)

"He was--He was Jesus when He was born. But when the Holy Ghost came upon Him after His baptism, He was anointed with God. God was in Him, 'cause He come to fulfill the Word."      --The Messiah, January 17, 1961 (tape #61-0117)

"And this little Boy, twelve-year-old Child, no wisdom at all, why, but just a twelve-year-old Boy... The Father didn't dwell in Him at that time, because He come on the day when He baptized Him; he saw the Spirit of God coming down (See?), and went in Him."      --Paradox, February 6, 1964 (tape #64-0206B

"The Spirit left Jesus in Gethsemane and He became just a man-- When God looked down upon the body... (The Spirit left Him in the Garden of Gethsemane; He had to die a man.)"     --It Is the Rising of the Sun, April 18, 1965 (tape #65-0418M 

Unbelievable!  William Branham DENIES Jesus Christ.  Anyone who says that William Branham is a man of God is deluded, deceived and follows the teachings on an anti-Christ. 

The bible says,  John 1 v 1-14  The Deity of Jesus Christ:  "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   2  He was in the beginning with God.  3  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  4  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.   5  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

William Branham's unsolved mysteries:

1. The Seventh Seal:  Branham believed that his interpretation of the 7 seals (Revelation, chapters 5-8) was essential in preparing his followers for Christ’s soon return. He spent the week of March 18 thru the 23, 1963, "revealing" the meaning of the first 6 seals from Revelation 6. However, on the evening he was to reveal the 7th seal, he did not explain its meaning. It remains a mystery to his followers to this day.
2. The Seven Thunders (Revelation 10:3,4):  Likewise, Branham spoke of the 7 Thunders, but never revealed what the voices spoke.
3. The Third Pull:  Although not a biblical mystery, Branham created a new mystery, speaking of a future phase of his ministry which he called the Third Pull. Not only did he fail to say what this phase of his ministry would accomplish, but he never fulfilled it before his death.   

Source:  http://people.delphiforums.com/johnk63/teachings.htm#unrevealed

William Branham's terrible inconsistencies about a man who tried to prove him to be false:

William Branham sometimes warned his listeners against testing the authenticity of his gifts. Which is odd because the bible tells us to test the spirits.  Never the less Branham indeed had an active imagination and most definitely liked to instill the fear of God into his follows too NOT test him.   Branham would frequently tell his congregation about a man who tried to prove him to be false by writing fictitious illnesses on his prayer card and then would stand in the prayer line expecting Branham to correctly identify his illnesses as mentioned on the prayer card.   Every time Branham told this story, the outcome of what happened to his man would change:

1. The man received the diseases that he wrote on his card and was still suffering from them (1953).
2. The man had died from his diseases (1954).
3. The man was bedfast "to this day" (1956).
4. The man ran screaming from the auditorium when Mr. Branham publicly exposed his plan (1956).
5. The man died a year after the incident (January 1957).
6. The man was still in "serious condition" (June 1957).
7. The man died 6 months after the incident from cancer (1958).
8. The man was carried from the auditorium paralyzed and is still paralyzed (1958--note that in 1956 Mr. Branham said he ran screaming from the building).
9. The man died on the platform sixty seconds after Mr. Branham exposed him (1961).
10. The man died six weeks after the meeting (1962).

Source:  http://people.delphiforums.com/johnk63/teachings.htm#unrevealed

So much for being man of God.  This is called manipulation people, manipulation and lies belong in the same basket of rotten apples. 

William Branham's vision and the Cloud:

Once again it would seem that William Branham has a very over active imagination, or he just lied as went along to 'prove' himself to be a man of God.   I have received a few emails over the last couple of months from people sending me images of this famous cloud as proof that Branham is a prophet.   So I went and did some research and found out that this cloud appeared over Flagstaff which was 352 km / 219 miles from where Branham was having his vision at Tucson.   Now from what I have read it says this cloud was like huge and could be seen from very far away.  However...

Branham says he was stading below it:   "And now, the "Life" Magazine picked it up. And I have the--the article here this morning in the "Life" Magazine there, of the show... Now, here it is, the same time I was there.  See the pyramid or the Cloud? I was standing just below this."     --William Branham, "Standing in the Gap," TSW (sermon preached 6-23-63), 6:7, pp. 20-21

Hmmmm....how can he be 219 miles from the could but yet he said he was standing just below it...now that is miracle.

Also Branham's account or count of how many angels he saw appear changed from 5 to 7 over a period of time.   It changed from 5 to 7 angels so he could say these angels represented the 'The Revelation of the Seven Seals'.

5 angels in vision on the mountain:  "And I, still in my ... the two consciences together, I knew I was standing here, and I knew I was somewhere else. And I thought, "Now, this is a vision, and I must learn what this means." And no more than the second group of birds came by, I looked to the west; and it looked like in the form of a pyramid---like two on each side with one in the top, came five of the mightiest angels I ever seen in my life. Such a terrific speed I never seen.... Their heads back and their pointed wings just sailing quickly."      --William Branham, "Reproach for the Word," The Spoken Word (TSW), Spoken Word Publications (Jeffersonville, IN, sermon preached 12-23-62), 2:16, pp. 4-7

7 angels in the vision on the mountain:  "In December 1962 God gave William Branham a vision of an angelic visitation which he foretold in a message "Sirs is this the Time?" On February 28, 1963, the vision and prophecy was fulfilled when a constellation of seven angels, formed as the head of Christ, met him with a commission to speak the opening of the Seven Seals of Revelation. Life Magazine (May 17th 1963) carried the photograph (left figure) of this supernatural event, describing it as a "Mystery Cloud over Arizona."      --http://www.bibleway.org/wmb

I seem to be hmmmm'ing a lot while writing this article.  It's amazing, people will believe all sorts of lies and even when presented with the truth continue to hold fast to these lies for dear life.  What for?  Do you like to be lied too?  Do you like to be deceived?  Do you like to be made a fool of by non other than William Branham?   But then I suppose that's what deception does, it blinds one to the truth.

William Brenham denies the Trinity:

Like the 'Jesus-Only' Pentecostals, Branham denied the Trinity doctrine teaching a form of Modalism. Instead of three Persons in the Godhead, Branham taught that there was only one Person (Jesus) going under different titles or modes at various times in history. Branham's teaching is a variation of a second century heresy taught by Sabellius know as Modalistic Monarchianism or Patripassianism.    --Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, pp. 727-28) and www.watchman.org/prOfile/branpro.htm.

Monarchianism:View found primarily in the third century that denied the Trinity, arguing that because God’s nature is one He cannot exist eternally in three Persons. The two most popular forms of monarchianism were dynamic monarchianism and modalism.       --www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Monarchianismm

The Trinity doctrine cannot be fully comprehended by finite man. However, any other view of the Godhead will not satisfy God's self revelation in Scripture. Modalism teaches that there is only one Person in the Godhead functioning through relational "modes." When He is in the Father mode, the Son and Spirit modes are not functional. In Matthew 3:13-17, however, the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends and the Father speaks. Also, "in the name of" (Matthew 28:19) or in the authority of does not limit the nature of God's unity to one Person but connotes equality of essence within the Godhead (2 Corinthians 13:14).   

Source:  www.watchman.org/prOfile/branpro.htm

William Branham view on baptism:

Branhamclaimed that proper baptism was needed to avoid the "Mark of the Beast" of denominational churches and escape the danger of missing the rapture and entering the Tribulation. Proper baptism must be in the name of Jesus only. Baptism with the Trinitarian formula of Matthew 28:18 ("in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost") is unacceptable to God.

If an incorrect formula was spoken during baptism, Branham felt the convert would go into darkness. "But a tritheist, triune baptism was never recognized in the Church, the New Testament... Now you know what to do, that's right; and if you refuse to walk in Light when Light's brought forth, you turn to darkness. Right! Amen!"      --Conduct, Order, Doctrine Q and A, pp. 178, 181, 182, 184, 190).

Baptism in the name of Jesus only may have been the early practice in the Jerusalem church. However, all manuscripts of Matthew 28:19 have the Trinitarian formula as being commissioned by Jesus. One document, dating from A.D. 60, the Didache, prescribes the Matthew formula (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) for baptism within the church. Regardless of the formula, baptism is not a requirement for being rapturedoravoiding the Tribulation. Full salvation is by grace though faith and not of works such as baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9).     

Source:  www.watchman.org/prOfile/branpro.htm

Something interesting William Branham once said:

"¹⁶⁷ I was talking on the Name of Jesus Christ baptism. That's right, a revelation of that come. That's the Truth. But what did a bunch of people do? Gathered it right out here and put a denomination out of it, made another tower of Babel, same thing, throw edit right into it. Certainly. Luther done the same thing. Wesley done the same thing; John Smith done the same thing, Alexander Campbell done the same thing. Pentecost done the same thing. God deals with individuals keeping His Word. God's only plan to bring believers to Himself in a true oneness is receiving the Holy Ghost. Then here's how...You say, "Well, Brother Branham, I spoke in tongues. I shouted. I did this." If you still got that kind of a spirit and deny the Word of God, you haven't got the Word of God in you; you haven't got the Spirit. If you'll set and hear the Truth preached, and look It up in the Bible, and see It's the Truth, and then refuse to do it, that's not the Spirit of God. I don't care how much you spoke in tongues, how much you shouted, how much churches you belonged to, or how many times you was baptized, or anything else. The Word is truth. That's what vindicates the truth. If you got all these other truths and then with the Word (Amen.), then you know you're coming home."      --Oneness (62-0211)

So if we reversed this and said, "Well, William Branham, you spoke in tongues, you shouted, you did this and that, and you healed, and you prophesied, and you had visions, and you saw angels, and you had revelations and you spoke words that God told you to speak.  Then surely if you've got that kind of a spirit but at the SAME TIME deny the Word of God / deny Jesus Christ, then you William Branham haven't got the Word of God in you; you haven't got the Spirit.

Please refer to this article on HOW TO DISCERN - THE BIBLICAL WAY:  http://discerningtheworld.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/how-to-discern-the-biblical-way

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NASA Ames Dig into Lab
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MIT's Biobricks

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The REAL Jesus Christ WILL ALWAYS give you A SOUND MIND.

Please see this article on How to Discern:  http://discerningtheworld.wordpress.com/how-to-discern/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How to Discern - Part 1

How to Smell a Rat

A toddler will eat anything. It does not matter if it is nutritious or poison, it has no ability to discern between food and poison. 
 
As Christians mature in the faith they should learn to discern between spiritual poison and spiritual food. “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). The problem is that the vast majority of modern-day “Christians” are either not born again or have been kept in a perpetual state of babyhood, and are thus unable to discern the difference between truth and error. Because of this, and because we have a new generation of church-goers who do not know the Bible, false teachers have multiplied, and millions believe anything these preachers say.

Discriminating between truth and error is really not that difficult as long as we abide by a few basic principles. The first of these is that truth is absolute. I use the term “absolute” as the opposite of “relative.” For most people – Christian and non-Christian - truth is relative. We hear:

• “Truth is relative to one’s own experience, background, culture and environment.”
• “What is true for one person may not be true for someone else.”
• “What was true in Jesus’ day or a hundred years ago, is not necessarily true today.”
• “What is true in the jungles of Africa is not true in the concrete jungles of America.”

But truth is absolute. It is unchanging and it is equally true in every time, culture, or environment. God’s truth does not change or have a different meaning in a different environment.What is truth? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). The Truth is first a person – Jesus Christ. His Word is Truth. Jesus said: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). Truth, the Person, never changes: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Truth, the Word, never changes. “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19).

The second principle is that the Bible is complete. Many people think that God continues to give new revelation through prophets, preachers and visions. But that is a lie from Hell to move people away from the foundation of the Word. Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….” Note that God has spoken. The Greek is very specific, this is past and complete. God does not continue to speak. Yes, we refer to “God speaking to us,” but what we actually mean is that God is reminding us of what He had already said in His Word. Jude 3 says: “I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” This translation is accurate in that the faith was delivered once and for all (eternity). It is not continually being delivered.

Theologians speak of “progressive revelation.” Unfortunately some preachers do not understand what the term means and assume that it means that God is continually revealing more and more of Himself. No. He gave us the whole revelation in Jesus Christ which has been written down in the form of the New Testament, and that’s it. The next time we will get any more information is when we see Him face to face. We can be absolutely sure that there is no further revelation between the Revelation given to John and the revelation of Jesus at His return.

Anyone who claims to have additional information that is not contained in the 66 books is a charlatan and a heretic. In fact, the Bible several times pronounces a curse on any who add to, or subtract from God’s Word. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, Proverbs 30:6, Matthew 15:6-13, Revelation 22:18). If a preacher is willing to subtract or change the smallest part of the Bible (a jot or tittle), then you need to be careful. If he will subtract in one area, he is capable of subtracting or adding in other areas. Once you undermine the smallest part of the Bible, then you may as well throw the whole thing out.

The third principle is that God does not change His mind. What God has said is forever established and will never be altered in any way. “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). (Settled means established, firm and unchanging.) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good” (Numbers 23:19). So, to suggest that God has a different plan for people today to what He described in His Word, or that He changed His mind, or that He is making up His plans as He goes along makes God a liar and a man. He is neither. His plans were established from before the foundation of the earth. He knew all the twists and turns that man and history would take from the beginning. He does not adjust or tweak his purpose as time unfolds.

If we can accept that God has no other plan, purpose or will for us than which is revealed in the Bible, and that any deviation from it in deed, word or principle is heresy, we will easily be able to recognize most of the error that goes around.

Don’t be fooled when men tell you that only the educated can understand the Bible. We can all understand it. It does not matter how clever the argument is presented. If its conclusion is contrary to the plain teaching of the Bible, it is error. BUT there are a few simple rules that we must apply when we interpret the Scriptures. It is often these rules that are broken in order to arrive at a teaching which is erroneous. I know that not everybody knows these rules or how to apply them. But every believer who faithfully reads his Bible will know enough to smell a rat and to be on guard.

I believe that no one can get into error by simply believing and practicing the Bible. God gives us enough information for each stage of our growth to protect us. Eve did not know the whole counsel of God, but she knew that God had forbidden eating of the tree. But, she got into trouble when she listened to the Devil’s version of what God had said. If only she had stuck to the simple truth God had given her, she would have been safe.

Every believer can ask this easy question: “Show me where it says so in the Bible.” If the teacher cannot do so, or has to contort your mind or the Scriptures to get a square verse to fit into a round hole, then run for your life – he is dangerous.

God’s word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). It enlightens and leads us. It does not bring us into darkness, confuse or mislead us. Trust His Word and if man contradicts His word “let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

How to Discern - Part 2

How to Understand the Bible

Many people will agree that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. The problem however is often how it is interpreted. How can we be sure that our understanding is the right one?In discerning truth from error, we must begin by understanding Truth for ourselves. Many people try to discover the Truth by analyzing and dissecting error. You simply cannot do that. It is like someone trying to drive a car by looking only in the rearview mirror while trying to move forward. You cannot see where you are going by looking where others have gone wrong. So before we try to judge error or someone else’s doctrine, we need to be sure about what we believe. I agree, that many are prompted by the rise of some error to study truth. But, if you want to learn the truth on some matter, you will only learn it by studying the Bible, not by studying the mistakes of others. So what must I do to understand?

First I must ask God for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). The same Spirit Who inspired the men to write the Bible (2Timothy 3:16, 1Peter 1:21), is available to help us understand what is written. The Bible is not an academic book which can be studied in an intellectual way only. Yes, the Bible is logically sound and intellectually deep, but it is primarily a spiritual book in which God speaks to His people. And His Spirit will lead, guide and counsel us so we may come “into all truth” (John 16:13). Studying the Bible is both an academic and spiritual exercise. Read it in a “spiritual” way without applying sound reasoning and you will not discover the Truth. But study it as academic literature without the Spirit’s help and you will most certainly end in error. Pray David’s prayer: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

Second, the reader must be in a right relationship with the Lord. When we are disobedient, in habitual sin or rebellion, we will always read into the Bible what we want it to say. This is the most dangerous way of handling the Word of God. Countless errors have been “discovered” when the reader looked into the Bible for justification for his disobedience or sin. If the Lord has been convicting you about something, you must be obedient to Him first else your reading will always be distorted and you will not see clearly. David was able to say “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts” (Psalm 119:100). Obedience leads to understanding, disobedience leads to error.

Third, we must be open and willing to change our views if they are proven to be wrong. When our prejudice or preconceived ideas overwhelm sound thinking, we will inevitably end with a distorted view of Scripture. We grossly underestimate the power of tradition and preconceived ideas to keep us from discovering the truth. Our traditions invariably are a filter through which we read and which colors the teaching of the Bible. Just think about the word “church.” Every person who reads has an established view of what that word means, even before they begin to read and so when one reads, he sees the Roman Church, or one of a thousand denominations. Others see a building of a particular shape while others see two or three believers agreed and in the name of Jesus. The same word – many different meanings – but only one can be right!

Paul says: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Corinthians 3:18). By “unveiled face” he was referring to the veil which Israel put over Moses’ face to filter the glory of God’s revelation and to deliver it in a form with which they were comfortable. But we must come to the Word without a veil or filter. We need to be willing to be open-faced in order to absorb the full impact of God’s revelation. The same revelation transformed Moses and blinded Israel. Come to the Word with an open face and it will transform you. Try to veil, limit or modify it and it will blind you (2Corinthinas 3:14).

Sometimes we actually need to suspend what we believe on a particular subject while we do an in-depth study of God’s Word on it. If we don’t do so, we may continue to build on bad foundations. I have found it invaluable, at different times in my life, to actively put all my experience, training and tradition on hold while I seek to understand some aspect afresh. Only the fool keeps going down the wrong road without checking from time-to-time if he is indeed on the right way. Even Paul felt the need to check (Galatians 2:2).

Fourth, we must turn to the Bible first. Many people will turn to their pastor, guru, commentary or Internet before going to the Bible. (Some will only go to these sources and never get to the Bible). If we go to any source outside the Bible first, it will invariably color and bias or thinking, more than it already is. In order to understand a particular subject, you need to enlist the aid of a concordance (preferably computerized) and search for every part of the Bible that speaks to that subject. Then you need to read those sections – not just the verses, but the entire passages. Note down the ones that make a specific point. Only once you have read the whole Bible (Old and New Testaments) on a particular subject, and have collated all the information, can you begin to come to some conclusions. Only after having searched the Scriptures, and have come to some conclusion, should you to turn to other sources. (More about that next week.)

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2). It is the pure milk that causes us to grow. If it is diluted with the words, thoughts and traditions of men, it is no longer pure. If it is sugar coated by the eloquence and stories of the preacher, it is also no longer pure. What I am writing here is not the pure milk of the Word – they are my ideas based on the Word. And while my thoughts may help some to understand a few things, it can never have the same effect as when you read, study and understand the Bible yourself.

Finally, we must study the Scriptures with a specific goal in mind. This goal is not to increase our knowledge, or to prove that someone else is wrong, or to justify your own actions. The only valid attitude is to allow God to speak to us through His Word. The reading and study of the Bible is first, foremost and primarily a personal issue. The Lord does not use the Bible to speak to others through us, unless, we have heard Him speak to ourselves first. We can only approach it with trembling hands and with the prayer of Samuel: “Speak, for Your servant hears” (1Samuel 3:10). Only if we truly want to hear and obey, will its truths begin to unfold.
 
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8)

How to Discern - Part 3

Orthodoxy

The Roman church has for a long time believed that only the “clergy” may interpret the Bible. In fact, until recently, they did not even allow translations of the Bible into the common language of the people because they did not believe that ordinary people were equipped to read the Bible, let alone interpret it.

Since the Reformation, the Bible has been made available to ordinary people and now anyone in the free world is able to read, study and own Bibles. But the pendulum has swung to the other extreme so that today every Tom, Dick and Harry feels he has the right to interpret the Bible as he feels fit. This is an equal but opposite error to that of the Roman clerical system.

It is therefore important that we understand that while each of us has the privilege of reading the Bible for ourselves, no individual has the right to interpret the Scriptures as he wishes. We can all understand the Bible, and the Spirit will lead us into all Truth, but it is not up to us to formulate our own “new” doctrine. There is a body of truth that is not open for reinterpretation. We refer to this as “orthodox” teaching. “Orthodox” means “conforming to established and traditional doctrine”. (Not to be confused with Eastern Orthodox churches.)

Over the last 2,000 years of Christianity the church has endured countless errors, counter-errors, over-corrections, church councils, remarkably gifted teachers and heretics. Through all these processes the basic tenets of our faith have been established, tested and proven. We have the advantage of learning from 2,000 years of experience. Yet, many fools have risen in these days who feel they are wiser than all the great men who came before and have the right to attack or add to orthodox and established doctrine. Anyone who feels they have a “revelation” that goes against orthodox teaching needs to be very sure of his facts.

Is there Biblical proof for the statement that no individual has the right to interpret the Bible without reference to orthodox doctrine? Yes indeed.

Paul quoted a principle established in the Law that “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (2Corinthians 13:1). This principle applied to every area of Jewish life and is carried forward into the life of the church. Even Jesus applied this principle to Himself. Jesus Himself said: “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true” (John 5:31). He then named four witnesses who testify to His claims. These are John the Baptist, Jesus’ works, His Father, and the Scriptures (John 5:33-39). Thus Jesus honored the principle that no individual can make a claim that is not able to be substantiated by multiple witnesses.

There are two essential qualifications for witnesses. They must agree and they must be credible (Exodus 20:16). The Jewish council found two witnesses to testify against Jesus, but they were false witnesses. So whose testimony should we believe concerning Jesus? Should we believe the testimony of John, Jesus’ works, His Father and the Scriptures or that of two rogues from the back streets of Jerusalem? Most false teachers may be able to quote others who believe like they do, but who are those witnesses? Are they people who have a reputation for correct theology or are they just as confused as the one who finds support in their false teaching?

The great Apostle Paul received his revelation and doctrine directly from Jesus Christ Himself (Galatians 1:12). In spite of the magnitude of this revelation, Paul felt the need to check his doctrine with Peter (Galatians 1:18). Then fourteen years later he again went to Jerusalem to check that he was indeed preaching the truth: “And I went up… and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain” (Galatians 2:2). Notice that he checked with “those who were of reputation”.

When building a wall it is no use checking the wall with a spirit level that is not correct. The level may indicate that the wall is plumb when it is not. Too many Christians check their doctrine with the wrong people and the wrong standards. Any doctrine has to be confirmed by those who have a reputation for Truth and correct doctrine. Far too many preachers are like King Ahab. Ahab gathered a team of 400 prophets who would tell him what he wanted to hear but he rejected the one man who he knew spoke truth (1Kings 22). Thus every heretic has a list of names of those who believe like he does, but will not listen to those who hold to orthodox doctrine.

When pilots bring ships into the harbor at Durban in South Africa, the channel through which they must pass is very narrow and disaster waits a few feet on either side. So to navigate safely they watch three lights on the distant shore. When these three lights line up, the ship is on the right course. The problem is that the shore is littered with thousands of lights. Only a fool will choose any three that line up. If it is imperative that a ship’s pilot has to make sure that he gets the right three lights to line up, then it is even more incumbent on us to make sure our teaching lines up with the right reference points.

Paul told Timothy “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2Timothy 2:2). Notice how Paul reminds Timothy that there are witnesses to his teachings. Also, he does not instruct Timothy to formulate his own doctrine but to simply carry forward those truths that had already been established by Paul.

Jude says: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Jude does not instruct us to establish or formulate doctrine but rather to contend for what was once for all delivered. Jude’s reference to “the faith” refers to a body of established truth and doctrine. 

Job said: “inquire, please, of the former age, and consider the things discovered by their fathers; For we were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you, and utter words from their heart?” (Job 12:8-9).

In this generation, our doctrine should be the purest, the most accurate and the most orthodox because we have the benefit of 2,000 years of church history. But instead of learning from the mistakes and discoveries of those who have gone before, this generation seems hell-bent to disregard the benefits of accumulated wisdom and rather to invent their own peculiar brands of heresy. These are indeed the people Jeremiah prophesied about when he cried: “Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, `We will not walk in it.” (Jeremiah 6:16).

How to Discern - Part 4

Check, Check and Check Again

This is a principle that holds true in most areas in life. Carpenters speak about measuring twice and cutting once. We teach our children that when they cross the street they must look left, look right and look left again. And when it comes to our faith we must be even more careful and check everything we hear.

1Thessalonians 5:21 says: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” In other words, not everything is good and can be trusted, so everything must be tested first. The noble-minded Bereans even subjected Paul’s teaching to scrutiny and they were commended for doing so (Acts 17:11).

We live in dangerous times and the world is filled with deceivers, false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing and heretics. Those who preach the Truth are a small minority while the false apostles wield massive budgets with which they dominate every form of media. No matter whether you listen to “Christian” radio, watch “Christian” television look at “Christian” websites or enter a “Christian” bookstore, the odds are stacked against the possibility that you will be exposed to truth. Yet every day thousands are deceived into believing anything that is sold under the banner of “Christian.”

It is thus imperative that we carefully check every word we hear or read. But how do we do that? Here are a few brief pointers:

First, listen to the voice of the Spirit: “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’" (Isaiah 30:21). Let me make this very clear: You cannot judge a message or a man just based on that inner voice. But if you listen to the promptings of God’s Spirit, you will often feel uneasy about something which simply means that you need to stop and check. In the same way, a good feeling about someone or a teaching does not mean it is right – you must still check. Almost every week I get emails from people who question things because they “did not feel it was right.” In most cases they were correct. Error is presented so cleverly and so slickly that there are times that the problem will not be obvious. Yet an uncomfortable feeling about the message should lead to a check.

It is easy to overreact to the extremes of the mystical and touchy-feely religions and to reject anything that is not written in black and white. But Jesus promised that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). Paul writes “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Listen to Him. He will often warn you of danger and alert you to the need to check further.

The second check is to ask the question: “Does this line up with Scripture.” Notice, the question is not whether the speaker / author quoted a verse. The question is “does it line up with the general teaching of the Bible.” It is easy to support error with isolated verses which are taken out of context.

Next ask the question: “Exactly what does the Bible teach on this matter”. You will be surprised how much you can learn by simply using a concordance. The fist time I heard that people were barking like dogs in churches, and that this was a “blessing from God,” I immediately looked at every verse that spoke about dogs and barking. That little study showed that every time dogs were referred to in the Bible they were symbolic of evil, demons and that which is defiled! So if the devil is presented as a dog in the Bible (Psalm 22:16,20), can the barking of a dog be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit?

The fourth question is whether the teaching is new or is representative of what the church has always believed? So when the televangelist says that God consists of nine parts, we should immediately recognize that as contradictory to the commonly held doctrine on the tri-unity of God. Some times new teachings aren’t quite as obvious as this, but the point is – they’re new.

Off course, this presupposes that you know the basic doctrines of the faith. That is just the problem. Most Christians do not know the fundamentals of the faith and “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). If you are not able to list and describe the fundamentals of the Christian faith, then you are in danger.

I am not asking you to be a theologian, just like you do not need to be a chemist to know that protein is food and arsenic is poison. You must know the basics else you will swallow the biggest lies and be deceived. When someone presents a teaching that contradicts the basic tenets of the faith you need to be very careful. Check again. Did you misunderstand him? Did he misspeak or does he really believe what you heard him say? We do not all agree on every detail of the faith but there are certain non-negotiable doctrines that are simply not up for discussion and you need to know what those are.

The fifth question is whether the message contains flaws in logic. Our faith is logical and rational and when preachers make irrational and unproven claims they must be challenged. There are many ways in which preachers and writers break simple rules of logic. Here is one example of a “technique” that is often used: If “A” equals “B” then “C” equals “D.” NO! The first part of the statement has nothing to do with the second. Don’t be fooled by a long list of things that are mentioned but that has nothing to do with the conclusion. Here is a real example. God made Abraham rich with material things; God made Isaac rich (materially); God made Jacob rich (materially); therefore God will make you rich with material things. Wrong. There is no direct link between the Patriarchs, material blessings and you – even though many like to say so.

The sixth question is whether there is evidence of dishonesty. Does the author deal with the material and evidence in an honest way or does he disregard all the verses that disproves his point and only quote those that support his idea? Does he blatantly change words or their meaning? Does he pick and choose translations to find one that will support his view? Or does he make obvious errors in fact. Remember, if he can lie to you in small things then he can lie to you in the major things – don’t trust him (Galatians 2:24). I just caught you. There is no Galatians 2:24! Yet you will be surprised how often writers and preachers will quote verses that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic. They do this since they know their audience is gullible and will not open the Bible to actually check.

Next week I will deal with questions you need to ask about the author / speaker. You must check both the message and the messenger. Sometimes good preachers can bring a flawed message. In that case you must reject the message but not the preacher. But sometimes a bad preacher can bring a good message. In this case both the message and the messenger must be rejected. The only way you will know the difference is to check, check and check again.

How to Discern - Part 5

Who's Who?

It is important that we check every word we hear or read against the plumbline of the Bible. In addition, we need to check the source of the information as well. We must check two things: The message and the man.

Many times we will hear messages that sound spot-on, and may even be doctrinally correct, but the speaker is a deceiver. Remember, the Devil will present truth in order to get you on his hook. No Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness will knock on your door and begin the conversation by saying that they have come to present another Gospel and another Jesus. They all begin by affirming that they believe exactly what you believe. The problem is that by the time they get around to the lie it is often too late. Our only defense is not to listen to a single word from someone we have not checked out thoroughly first. Mormons and JWs are easy to recognize by their outward appearance. But how do we recognize someone who appears to be an evangelical, Bible believing preacher? Here are a few hints:

First, who is he and where does he come from? In other words who does he relate to and who has influenced his thinking? This can easily be established from his bio, personal history or curriculum vitae. Where did he train? Where does he fellowship? Who is he in relationship with? Who does he quote? Who quotes him? If he has a website, look at the other sites he provides links to. These questions will often reveal a lot about the messenger. Obviously, he may have had bad connections in the past and may have repented. If he has repented from former evil associations, has he publicly repudiated those links and doctrines and broken fellowship with them? If he has, his past should not be held against him; but, at the same time, some of those influences may continue to taint his thinking and one should be on the alert for signs thereof. “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Corinthians 15:33) and a man can be known by the friends he keeps.

Second, and closely related to the first: What qualifies him to be a teacher? By this I don’t mean whether he is ordained or has papers, but what gives him the right to teach you anything? You need to ask questions about how long he has been a believer, how old he is, does he have a proven track record of serving the churches, or is he just a maverick who has set himself as a “prophet”? Is he in submission to others? Since the advent of the Internet and self-publishing any misfit who cannot work with others, and who has no desire to be a servant to the churches, can set himself up as a “ministry”. Does he exhibit skill and integrity in the way he handles the Word, or is he a workman who needs to be ashamed? (2Timothy 2:15). Does he faithfully teach and preach the Word, or is his message based on stories, testimonies and jokes? Finally, does he challenge as well as encourage, or does he only speak those things that will not offend the hearers? (2Timothy 4:2).

Probably the most important qualification is his life! How many times has he been married? Does he have a testimony of integrity, uprightness and holiness? How does he relate to money and material things? These are but a few of dozens of questions that need to be asked about the fruit of his life. Jesus said: “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16). By their “fruit” Jesus did not mean the fruit of his ministry (how many converts, books etc) but the fruits of his life. What does his life produce? Do you really think that if he produces thistles at home he will produce grapes in your life? (2Timothy 3 and Titus 1 contain additional questions you may need to ask.)

Fourth, what does he believe? This gets a bit harder since he will very likely hide the real truth under language that appears to be sound. Sometimes error can be discerned by carefully scrutinizing his statement of faith. But mostly you will have to read and listen carefully. The internet may contain hints at what may be wrong, but don’t accept anything you find on the internet without thoroughly investigating that information and its source. Anyone can publish anything on the internet and many work very hard to discredit legitimate ministries through this means. But read carefully what is said about the individual and use that information as a cue what to look out for in his teaching. But allow me to emphasize: information from unknown sources on the internet can only serve as red flags; it cannot be trusted to approve or disqualify anyone. “Whoever… does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him (2John 1:9).

Fifth, we must ask the question; what do the witnesses say? In the third article in this series (Orthodoxy) we established that we need to look at the credibility of the witness as well as the testimony of the witness. Who approves of this man? If known false teachers give him a good testimonial, or he appears on the same platform as they, then you know he has to be a false teacher himself. Likewise, if those who are proven to be ministers of light condemn him, you better take note

This is why it is important that we surround ourselves with those whom we can trust to advise and counsel. Many “discernment type” ministries have an axe to grind, but there are a few that can be trusted to give a balanced assessment of a particular ministry. These people who have been gifted to be watchmen to the church can save us a lot of time and research. (Next week we will examine the qualifications of a good discernment type ministry.) Check their websites and blogs for warnings about specific ministries, speakers and authors. The Lord says about watchmen that: “whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head” (Ezekiel 33:4).

Sixth, what is his agenda? Sometimes a speaker or author can pass all the tests and still have the wrong agenda. It is therefore important to ask what it is that drives him. Is it money, ego or power? Does he bear a grudge or bitterness? Is he trying to prove that he is right and everyone else is wrong? Watch and listen carefully and his motive will shine through. If he is not driven by a love for the Lord, a love for God’s Word and a love for God’s people – then he probably has nothing to say. When Jesus commissioned Peter, there was one question that mattered: “do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). If the speaker does not exhibit a love for Jesus then he is disqualified no matter how much he knows (1Corinthians 13:1-3).

Unless you are able to verify the bona fides of a speaker or writer, you should never receive from them. Very few would knowingly invite the devil to preach in their church, yet many are willing to have his messengers speak in his place.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1John 4:1).

 How to Discern - Part 6

What of the Watchman?

Each believer has responsibility for himself to be on the lookout for error and deception (Revelation 3:11). The Lord has also set the elders in the local church with the duty to watch for wolves who would seek to attack the flock (Acts 20:28-30).

In these last days error is multiplying and spreading faster than the average believer or shepherd can track. Every day brings some new heresy, and modern electronic media and world travel has resulted in new heresies spreading across the globe within hours of being hatched. Often these teachings are so cleverly disguised that it literally takes a specialist to recognize them and to formulate a defense against them.

As a result the Lord has raised up a special group of people who have been uniquely gifted and prepared to act as watchmen to the churches. When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, the attacks were so incessant that in addition to every man carrying his sword whilst building (Nehemiah 4:17-18), a select group was tasked with looking out for the enemy (Nehemiah 4:9, 16). As a shepherd in a local church, it would be impossible for me to fulfill my duties and keep track of the many new errors that arise almost daily. I am therefore very grateful for those who have dedicated themselves to the work of monitoring, researching, warning and formulating answers to the many winds of false doctrine of our time.

But, as in every area of the Lord’s work, there is the good, the bad and the ugly. Just the fact that someone points out error does not necessarily make them devoid of error themselves. Some err in doctrine, and others in their attitude or lifestyle. It is therefore important that we establish what the difference is between the good and the bad amongst discernment ministries. (I use “discernment ministries” [lower case] as a generic term distinct from “Discernment Ministries” which refers to a specific organization).

In one sense, this is the easiest ministry that anyone can get into these days. This is true simply because it is much easier to point out mistakes in others than to correct those mistakes. Some who could not write or preach a single word to edify the church get involved in throwing stones. Pulling down is easier than building up and finding fault is easier than teaching truth. Many are involved in these ministries because they want revenge for past hurt, or because they want to be involved in ministry but do not have the gifts to do so, or even because they have a problem with pride.

Here are some important questions to ask about discernment ministries:

What attitude do they display? Is it one of arrogance and pride and do they feel that they are better than those poor heretics over there? Or do they genuinely mourn and weep over the state of the church? Do they speak with humility and grace, recognizing that it is only the grace of God that has kept them? Do they feel that they are superior to everyone else and God’s only remnant? (The series “Contentiously Contending” deal with this in more detail.)

Who are the faces behind that particular ministry? What are their personal lives like? Do they have a history of serving the churches and standing for truth? Are they in fellowship with other believers and ministries and do they serve a local church or are they loose cannons?

What is their motive? Is it revenge, profit, fame and importance? Or is it love for the Lord, His Word and His People? (The previous article “Who’s Who?” applies as much to discernment ministries as to preachers.)

Are their accusations based on thoroughly documented research supported by credible witnesses and empirical proof? Or is it based on second-hand rumor and guilt by association? Many of these ministries could discredit someone just because that person happened to pass through the same airport as a known heretic, even though there is no connection between them.

Do they rely on innuendo, rumor and quotes taken out of context to make their case? Or do they rely on facts, track-records, history and documents?

Are they credible? In other words how do you know you can trust them? Do they exaggerate or embellish to make a point? Have you ever noticed them lying or are they people of integrity? Is their assessment balanced, or are they biased? Do they ever have something good to say about anyone or can they only speak about what is evil and wrong?

Are they conspiracy theorists? One such man teaches that the Jews are to blame for every form of evil that plagues our world, that NASA found dinosaur bones on the moon but conspired to conceal the matter, but at another time claimed that man never went to the moon and that it was all a conspiracy! Yes, this man is one of the most prominent speakers, broadcasters and writers against “error”.

Do they teach the truth or only against error? Do they provide an antidote to the heresy, or can they only point out what is wrong? The Lord and the Word never reveal a problem without providing a solution to that problem. Yes, the Bible speaks against sin, but it also provides the antidote – the precious blood of Jesus. It reveals the wickedness of man’s heart but offers the righteousness of God to those who believe (Romans 3:22-23).

Just the fact that they are a discernment or apologetic ministry does not exempt them from all the checks and balances we have spoken about in this series. They need to be checked. The bad need to be rejected and the good need to be valued. I would urge you to know which of these ministries can be trusted and to read their material regularly. If you are a pastor or preacher, you need to attend a good discernment conference every year in order that you may be warned of the new devices of the evil one.

If you do use their services you need to support them by your prayers, encouragement and gifts. The good ones will never speak of their needs, yet it costs a lot of stamina and finances to keep those ministries going – help them so they can better serve you. Above all, pray for them. It takes a lot of courage and they pay a very high personal price for their stand as they are constantly being attacked. They need your prayers and encouragement.

The fact that Nehemiah set a watch and dedicated some to bear arms, did not absolve the rest of the people from being on guard:

“Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:17-20).

Anton Bosch -  http://www.antonbosch.org

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In Todd Bentley’s initiation“ordination” ceremony last week one George Banov spoke providing Bentley a ‘prophetic word.’  I must say that initially, at least, he was a welcome relief following the demonic, frenetic, wild head shakin’ thang of Stacey Campbell.  Banov comes in at 6:00 minutes:

A quick Internet search could not produce much info on Banov; but, he’s obviously of the same heretical Latter Rain ‘stream’ as the others on stage. The reason I wish to call attention to this is the fact that in his ‘word’ Banov uses two Messianic prophetic scriptures and claims God told him these were for Bentley!  Here’s the transcription:

“Todd on behalf of the Eastern European nations and former Communist Countries, we want to tell you that we acknowledge and honor what’s upon you.  And, we give you the keys for Eastern Europe — especially the poor, the rejected, the gypsies.

“And The Lord says that because you’ve loved his personal presence there are two anointings that are released on His presence and I just want to release those two anointings on you from the LORD.  By the way, the Lord says ‘you are well pleasing son.’ The Father, Abba, says that to you personally.  The first anointing is the anointing of the pleasure of the LORD.  [emphasis mine]

“’Surely He has borne our grief, sickness and weakness and carried our sorrow and the pain and the punishment of us all. He was considered stricken, smitten and afflicted by God; but, He was bruised for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities and chastisement that brought our peace came upon him and by His stripes we were healed and made whole.’  [Isaiah 53:4-6]  And, yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him and in His presence there is fullness of joy and pleasure for evermore. [This is apparently a paraphrase of more than one scripture with another.]  And, God’s releasing his pleasure of what He did to Jesus upon you Todd.

>>  Deborah's note:  What blasphemy to compare Todd to Jesus Christ and '"And, God’s releasing his pleasure of what He did to Jesus upon you Todd"!!  Oh my... SHOCKING!!

“And, the second anointing that he wants to release upon you is in Psalm 45 but it’s also in Hebrews chapter one verse nine.  It says, ‘Because you have loved righteousness and you have delighted in integrity and virtue and uprightness in heart and thought and action and you have hated injustice and iniquity; therefore God, your God has anointed you with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond your companions.’  We bless you.”

>>  Deborah's Note:  loved righteousness and delighted in integrity and virtue?  You've got to be kidding, he lies so much he spends half his life trying to just cover them up nevermind his unscriptural teachings.  First he says he got his tattoos after he became a christian because 'Jesus' told him too, then when everyone pointed out that it's wrong and unscriptural, he changed his story that he got them before he got saved - but there are photos of him on Facebook where he is as clean as a whistle (before he got saved).  Now Emma is not a female angel anymore, Emma is a male.  You can go read up on all of Todd's lies here:  http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/another-deliberate-deception-todd-bentley-angel-emma-has-a-sex-change-in-todd-bentleys-latest-book.  Miriam has done an excellent job of keeping track.

>>  "God has anointed you with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond your companions."  I would have thought all those trips he takes to heaven and walking with Jesus in 'a field of praise' would have brought exultant joy and gladness - apparently not.  And what about the angels?  Surely there must be an angel of joy and gladness in all this mess somewhere? 

Not only does he quote two Messianic scriptures and applies these to Bentley, he even goes so far as to claim that the Lord referred to Todd as a ‘well pleasing son’ thus putting Bentley on par with Jesus! [Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22]  Does this not show this group to be promoting Manifest Sons of God doctrine – part of the heresy of the Latter Rain teachings?  And, no one batted an eyelash on stage or in the audience.   In fact, they clapped and cheered.  See here:  http://discerningtheworld.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/the-latter-rain-revival-taking-dominion-with-another-gospel-and-another-christ/

I wish to point out that there is only one true anointing – the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon true believers who accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior.

20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the
antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

 24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.

 26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it
has taught you, remain in him.  [1 John 2:20-27 NIV]

To promote that we can attain Christlikeness this side of glory is tantamount to denying Jesus Christ’s exclusive Divinity as the One and only Son of God.  As the Apostle John points out above, this is the spirit of
antichrist. 

...submitted by Lee

You may proceed here to watch the actual video of blasphemy:  http://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/george-banovs-blasphemous-prophecy-at-todd-bentleys-ordination.

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See Stacey Campbell's headshaking episode here: http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/stacey-campbells-wild-head-shaking-prophecy-at-lakeland/

If that fire is fake and added to the video at a later stage, I do not know...but it looks very real as the fire appears to be moving, and if what I felt is anything to go by I would say without a shadow of a doubt that that fire is a DEMONIC SPIRIT!!!!

Please dear Lord Jesus...please let people's eyes be opened to the deception that is running rampant in the end times. 

I took snapshots of the fire as best I could and placed them into a jpeg image file: 

Now I am told that this is actually a banner.  Apparently a lot of people at Lakeland wave yellow/red fire looking banners around.   I was also told this is a banner that supposedly had a Lions head on it.  So I went and looked for picutures of these banners:

Now we have a problem here, where is the pole for this banner?  Where is the arm that is waving this banner, and look at the height of the banner  And why on 35 seconds does it look like this 'banner' is blowing 'smoke' out what looks like a 'mouth' at the very top.

That's how the ideas pop in. Mr Gua Gua believe that it's because my mind gets clearer which is possible. I prefer to think that it's because i'm closer to the Divine during my spiritual practice, and once anybody is linked up with the Divine/Source/God/etc, inspiration strikes.

U guys and the universe know by now that i'm manifesting for financial abundance right. At the same time, my life is mostly about EFT (and past life regression) and sharing it with more pple. I have gotten off to a pretty gd start with my 1st EFT Level I workshop and have another Level I coming up in July and Level II in August. Few days ago, the idea of conducting Borrowing Benefits sessions popped into my head.

Borrowing Benefits was discovered when Gary started receiving feedback from pple that just by tapping along with demonstrations, either live or on DVDs, they are getting their own issues cleared as well. Thus, Gary created a special series of DVDs called Borrowing Benefits, which consists of demonstrations that are structured specially for this purpose. I am not sure how these demos compare to other normal demos in outcomes, but according to Gary, he consciously stays around the parameters of the issue until he is sure that that sufficient tapping has been done to reduce the intensity of the issue before he dives in, thus sticking to his belief that therapy should not just be effective but also be as painless as possible (and with EFT, it can be definitely be done!). My thoughts are that the subconscious mind is pretty intelligent and would not give us more than we can handle, plus some gd old crying/screaming may not be that bad (more about this later!)... but i'm going to keep an open mind and study Gary's Borrowing Benefits DVDs more carefully to see if the structure does increase the benefits for the participants.

Anyway, it has always been a dream of mine to use EFT in group therapy and i told my workshop participants about it. Because i was on a high, and in a way, i also wanted to demonstrate positive thinking to them, i told them it's going to happen in the NEAR future. That was the first time i thought of it happening soon, much less announce to 20 over pple.

They say, writing your goal increases the power of manifesting it. Saying it aloud, even more so. And i just said it aloud to a whole group of pple who were very positive and had great faith in me. I guess this is why the idea popped back in my head during chanting and i started developing on the idea.

The end result is Borrowing Benefits (BB for short) sessions on every Wed and Fri evening, 6.30 - 8.30 pm (will have to take cab home after that!), open to only those who have attended my EFT Level I workshops or watched the EFT DVDs because i won't want to waste precious time answering questions about EFT when the objective is to just keep tapping on our own issues throughout the 2 hours. It will be walk-in concept, and no registration needed, which means i can do it solo without needing help from colleagues. $10 per pax and by donation for those unemployed e.g. students (ah, i rem the days when $10 would buy me a whole week of meals!), homemakers, retirees.

As I told my Level I participants, BB sessions would be very good for those with trouble doing EFT on their own, or doing it but not getting very good results, because of the facilitator's guidance and the synergy effect. Added advantages are you get to meet other pple who are committed to healing themselves, and this kind of support is just wonderful!

For me, i get added income, but i think for this, income is secondary because I am pricing it very low and i decided that even if just 2 persons show up, the show will go on. Another benefit is that i get to tap on my own issues too! Already i am increasing the frequency of tapping on myself because now that i am an EFT trainer and asking others to try it on everything, do it daily, i definitely need to walk the talk. But i am also looking forward to tapping myself in a group because the energy would be so much better that way. Imagine, getting paid for therapy on myself!

It would also be a win-win for my centre because they will get a portion of the proceeds, plus there will inevitably be those who want to seek one-to-one consultation after the BB sessions for deeper work, which will increase the clientele numbers.

As far as i can see, this is one of the best ideas yet because everyone benefits from BB! Already some of the participants have expressed interest, and i'm thinking of having some or all of the sessions themed around subjects such as fears, loss, anger, relationships, etc so that i can use more specific statements, hence increasing the efficacy. Still, BB claims to work even if the issues are different for everyone... i will need to experiment with this!

I was so excited with this plan that the moment i walked into the office i went to my projects person and asked him if he's free to talk. So imagine my disappointment when he told me it may not go down well with the management as EFT is not supposed to be a main service of the centre, and having it weekly may be a bit too much. Well, in my mind, i had lots to say against that! But i just told him that i'll take it slow then, and i pretended to be ok with it, but really, i think i was rather down for the rest of the day and next morning, and imagining that the whole office is against me because i'm going against the flow and doing something different.

I tapped on it for a while, not really knowing if it's doing any good. But next morning, during chanting, i suddenly had the impulse to go to the ED to talk to him about BB. I remembered that days ago, i got the affirmation (from my home made affirmation cards) that dreams are the source of wisdom, and then i recalled a dream i had more than a month ago, which i vaguely remembered that the ED and i are very close, for some reason. Even though there are pple in the office painting him as a money-minded nominal Buddhist who is not a very nice person, i decided that rather than believing hearsay, i might as well get to know him myself. After i came to this decision, suddenly i was putting renewed effort in my chanting, feeling wonderfully recharged and joyful.

I also remembered that when i really want something, the universe will conspire in my favour. Since BB is going to benefit so many pple, there is no way the universe will not help me, which means BB IS Definitely Going To Happen - it's a matter of how. With this knowing, i feel so much more reassured and supported cos whether BB will happen in the centre or outside, it doesn't matter and I can't fail.

Of cos, on the way to office, i was feeling a bit nervous abt going to meet the ED, and i tapped on all the what-ifs. When i reached office, i cldn't see him in his office from the entrance and thought he went for lunch. As i had 3 clients that day, i was thinking of chickening out on seeing him, telling myself, maybe another day. As synchronicity would have it, my 2nd client cancelled on me which gave me some time to do my own admin work, and when i passed his office again, i saw that he's there. Without even thinking (which is a gd thing!), i popped my head in to ask if he's free to talk. He was.

Before I even started talking, he told me he took something from my table. Stunned, i was like huh? He told me he needed my name card. Then it clicked in my mind, as earlier on i noticed that blank space on my cubicle wall, but not remembering what was originally there. However, that namecard was my special manifestation namecard as i had liquided out my job designation and replaced it with "EFT Master, CH (Certfied Hypnotherapist)"! When i explained it to Mr T, half embarrassed and half thrilled that i'm sharing this more personal side of me with him, he was both shocked and amused that he had assumed that those were my actual credentials and was going to use those to make the new namecards i had requested for!

Well, that really broke the ice for me, and feeling much more relaxed, i told him my idea. To my surprise, he immediately got a pen and paper, and asked me, so what do you need? Then he jotted down all the stuff i told him, and basically said something to the effect of, done! In addition, he even asked me about my Saturday hours and expressed concern about my safety being the only staff around. He asked if i had a safety plan. I laughingly replied that my plan would be to pray for divine protection (and i was actually very serious about that)! Again, i was kinda thrilled that i could feel so comfortable with Mr T and he seemed rather amused by me. At the same time, also felt touched by his kindness, and very glad that i decided not to take the words of others seriously, cos otherwise, i wldn't have known that Mr T is actually quite an easygoing and fatherly person. Plus he is very present with me, unlike previous heads who can have their own agenda and are not always fully attentive, and at times, even talking more than me, about things not relevant to what i said. Seems like that dream was meant to be a gd omen after all.

When i left his office, i had an urge to jump in the air and give a whoopee! I couldn't help but beam from ear to ear as i walked past my projects colleague and told him, BB-ok. He was really surprised to hear that, and i am a little concerned that he would respond negatively to it, either with embarassment, that his words didn't come true, or with anger that i didn't take his words and just went straight to the ED. But he's a true practising Buddhist and i believe his true nature would override those emotions, if any at all, and in any case, we are all serving humanity. Ultimately, as Mother Teresa puts it, it's never between us and them, but us and God i.e. who cares what pple think!

Once again, i relearn the impt lessons, that hearsay cannot be believed, and pple often respond accordingly when we think the best of them (the converse is true too!). In fact, some of the hearsay is second hand and even third hand. Sometimes, it's from mind-reading and none of them are psychics! From now on, i am going to take rumours and gossip abt pple with a real little pinch of salt, and if i want to get accurate info, i wld have to hear it from the horse's mouth as much as possible. How much misunderstanding and frustration we can prevent this way!

Well, Borrowing Benefits classes will start in August, together with EFT Level II. I have so many things to relearn and develop and prepare... it's going to be an exciting ride!

A VISION FROM GOD

My wife and I and my youngest son were in St Louis for a weekend break a couple of years ago. We were driving from the hotel to listen to the St Louis Symphony on a Saturday night and the Holy Spirit came upon me. As usual this would not be a time of my choosing yet I know from experience that the Holy Spirit is not a respector of time.I kept on driving and I knew my wife was talking but I was caught up in the Spirit. Tears were falling from my face and the car was pretty dark so my wife did not notice. The Holy Spirit continued to move in my Spirit for the next couple of hours, all through the performance, and came in waves, one “scene,” unfolding after another. The grandness of the orchestra seem to only heighten my experience. I am sure people around me may have thought that I was deeply moved by the music, and the truth is I was somewhere else altogether.

The beginning of the vision was a loud booming voice calling all Christians to awake , “Awake you sleepy Christians.” “Who will ascend Gods Holy Hill? Those with a pure heart and clean hands." This was scene 1, a call to arms. Then the second scene unfolded. I saw thousands of baby turtles heading from the dunes towards the sea. They had a wide beach ahead of them. Before most of them could cross the beach and reach the water they were attacked by birds of every kind. The power of the air had come to attack them, seagulls by the hundreds making a horrendous shrieking noise as they feasted on their helpless prey. Birds of every kind joined the attack, swooping down and pecking and carrying the baby turtles off. Then from the dunes from where they came, came raccoons and critters of every kind to join in the frenzy and drag these hapless baby turtles away. Just when I thought the slaughter could not get worse, out from under the sand came crabs, crabs with large pincers which tore into the turtles and they dragged them into holes in the sand to be devoured. As all of this was going on, I could see Scripture framing this whole scene. “Many are called but few are chosen,” “Broad is the road that leads to destruction, narrow is the path that leads to life.”

Suddenly the scene changes, I am on a beach, but it is the scene from Saving private Ryan. Death was all around me. Young men being killed right where I stood and the severely wounded all around, desperately seeking for a place to hide, for some kind of barrier to protect them from the onslaught. There were kids with there innards hanging out and they were trying to stop them from spilling onto the beach, while screaming for their mothers. Men with their limbs blown of, the one man walking around in shock with his right hand carrying his left arm which had been blown off.

Suddenly the scene changes again. There is a Rock with a sword embedded into it. This sits right in the middle of a large arena. This is also the scene from Braveheart. On strolls a man that is dressed like William Wallace in the scene from the movie where he addresses his vastly outnumbered army who are thinking about fleeing from the battle. The man, who is actually Jesus dressed in full Scottish battledress, reaches forward , and with both hands, pulls the Claymore from the Rock and turns to address the crowd in the arena.

“ I am Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am maker of heaven and earth and I am the Holy Son of the Living God. I hold in my hand the two edged sword. And with this sword I will surely destroy all the enemies, this vast army of evil that you see here before you. This army that has dared to challenge the living God, this army that has exposed itself on the battlefield will be completely destroyed this very day. I see another army here before me, the army of the Living God. You have gathered here today in defiance of darkness and tyranny. You have come here to fight as free men and free men you are, for it is I that gave you that very freedom. So you see with your eyes that you are few and they are many, you see that you are vastly outnumbered. Will you fight today?

“No, we will run and we will live,” shouts a man from the crowd. “Yes, if you run now you will live a while. If you stay and fight you may die, but I have called you here this day to die in a battle that will be celebrated for all eternity. Yet for those who run and “live,” what kind of life will you live? When you are dying in your beds, many years from now, how many of you will cry out with regret, having lived a life of compromise and shame and know in your heart that you would be willing to trade forty years of compromise for one day of glory in this great battlefield of the flesh. This light against darkness. To be able to say to your enemies “eye, you may kill me this day and I may have to lose everything this very day but one thing you will never take, you will never take my spirit!!!!

Now the scene changes again. I am in the stadium or arena . Men of God form a semicircle in front of the crowd of young people. Behind the men are a sea of flags. The flags are blowing in the wind. The flags represent the enemies that the Holy Spirit had just showed me. The enemies that attacked the turtles each had names and the names were written on the flags. Some of the names were Rebellion, lust, sex, drugs, beer, abuse, suicide, bitterness, hatred, greed, materialism, incest, rape, murder and many many more.

The call is made to the crowd, its the call that Jesus has just made, “Will you come forward and die to these thing this day?” They respond to the call to arms and begin to move forward in obedience to the call. They run towards the enemy, they kneel and pray with the men of God and then move past them and with pure hearts and clean hands they make their way towards the flag that represents what they have just laid down, they pull up the flag and they break it over their knees and throw it to the ground. Freedom rings out into the night sky, the rejoicing rises up into heaven itself and all of heaven rejoices to see Satan’s kingdom torn down and Gods young people taking back that which is theirs, that which is Gods, their very heart. And Satan trembles at the rise of this army…………..Amen